By“Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him. The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy. He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.” — Genesis 26:12 - 14 NIV
We are in the world, but not of the world. The world we live in is like a foreign land to us children of God because much of its systems and operations remain influenced by the devil. The Word says this world lies in wickedness (1 John 5:19).
However, God has ways of making any of His children thrive in a foreign land. In other words, He has ways to make His children escape the hardships of life in order to progress, even in places hostile to their Christ-centred way of life. Isaac was the first person to experience this dimension of God being the provider in the land of Gerar.
There was a famine at Isaac’s abode, which was near Beer Lahai Roi (Genesis 25:11). So he moved to Abimelech, the king of the Philistines at that time. Isaac’s main intention wasn’t to stay in Gerar but to journey to Egypt. Then the Lord appeared to him and said,
“Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live” (Genesis 26:2 NIV).
From this verse, God didn’t have a problem with Isaac’s move to Gerar. However, He didn’t want him to go to Egypt.
Then in Genesis 26:12-14, Isaac planted in that foreign land of Gerar and reaped a hundredfold. I thought it was famine time, so Isaac would have struggled to provide farm inputs and water to his crops. Nevertheless, the Lord blessed him, and that was why he reaped such a bountiful harvest.
Probably, where God will tell you to sow seeds will be at places you don’t even like. But I want to assure you that don’t lean on your own understanding. God surprises people, but usually, those who trust in Him. Keep sowing at places God tells you to sow. Even if the initial outcomes prove unfavourable, hold on to that Word and continue. In the end, God will make you thrive in a foreign land, whether physical or abstract, led by Him to make you place investments despite the hardships of this world. Be at the right place at the right time.
You’re a blessing.
Devotional Code: KGD // 2022 – 135
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